Santanoni's and Bust.

[Guinness]

Our venture began at the trailhead parking lot at 6:30 Saturday morning. Our goal was to push up the trail to Times Square and then start with Panther Peak. Couchi and Santanoni were to follow as conditions permitted. The first 4.3 miles to the start of the herd path to Times Square involved moderate trail breaking of 6-8 inches of fresh powder.

The herd path up to Times Square proved to be more than an adventure. Shin and myself pushed forward through 12” – 20” of fresh snow on unbroken trails. Some areas had a consolidated crust under fresh snow, which could not sustain us. We took three hours of trail breaking to get to Times Square.

We were tired and delirious, but our efforts to keep pushing toward the top was well rewarded when we reached Times Square, and there much to our pleasure waited the Swedish Bikini Mountaineering Team , Vendela, Helga, Erika and Carol. They offered us some official VfTT Hot Chocolate (with some Doctor added for flavor). As we shook our imaginations back to reality, we headed off in the general direction of Panther Peak, not on any established herd path, but as wandering fools looking for openings between trees and dropping into two Spruce Traps.

After 30+ minutes of nonsensical trail breaking, we packed it in. We returned to Times Square and for the first time that day, the clouds opened up and stood in awe as we looked at Panther Peak, swore out loud, and headed down.

The trail to Times Square is well broken out and pending this weeks snowfall, should be good for next weekend. I am going back up next weekend, this time I plan on carrying a full pack and camp high to allow me two days to finish the job. As for the Swedish Bikini Mountaineering Team well anything is possible in the mountains even if only in our minds.

 

[TMax]

I thought about you all weekend Guiness and wondered how this trip was going. Glad to hear you're human...I was tempted to join you when you first posted the trip but was pretty sure I wasn't gunna make it in a day hike in the winter! What time were you back at the trailhead?

 

[Guinness]

Hi TMax,

We were out and back to the parking lot at 5:00, 10.5 hours round trip. This weekend I'm going back more determined than ever! This next trip I'll plan on spending a night up high to allow for more time at Times Square to attempt all three.

 

[Whiteman]

What a difference a year makes

It seems last year, minus a coupla weeks, everybody was climbing this range. I did Allen somewhere around 2/21/04, and there must have been fifty people headed towards the Santanoni Range.

 

[Neil]

It seems last year, minus a coupla weeks, everybody was climbing this range. I did Allen somewhere around 2/21/04, and there must have been fifty people headed towards the Santanoni Range.

You're right, we did Panther and Couch on Sunday March 20th last year and followed a superhighway all the way. We could've done 'em blidfolded.

 

[MattC]

Hey Ed,

Funny how the "turn-back" threads seem to be popping up now at the end of winter. Remember back in December when everbody was dying for snow?
I imagine the bikini-clad Swedes made the hike more than worthwhile though.

Matt

 

[bubba]

I was there for part of the hike... nobody told me about the Swede's at the top or I'd have plodded along further up!!

The day was great to be in the woods. I knew I didn't have it in me to summit and return so I bailed a earlier. Five hour backcountry snowshoe hike for me was a winner.

Having not killed ourselves gave us the opportunity to explore Irish pubs in Long Lake. Very decent. Cold beers. Good food. Great company!!